Hello, I am Volker. I am a Hobie 14 Sailor from Germany. The last weeks I watched your discussion "DANGER YOUTH CAT". It was interesting.
<br>I want to say something about it.
<br>What I say wouldn't be a guideline for the USA. I think the problems in the US and Germany are too different.
<br>I just can tell you about our expirience. Maybe it can bring you new ideas.
<br>In Germany we don't talk about the WAVE. It is possible to buy this boat in Europe but it's not a class.
<br>The boat which HOBIE CAT EUROPE decleares as the upcomming youth boat is the DRAGOON.
<br>The idea is to train the youth on this boat for the TIGER. Some sailors who do a job in the EUROPEAN HOBIE CLASS ASSOCIATION developed big concepts for youth-catamaran-sailing in Europe.
<br>Maybe in France, Italy and Denmark it would be a sucsess. Because there doesn't exsist a HOBIE 14 class.
<br>In Germany, Belgium and the Netherland I think it is not the right way.
<br>Since 2 years we work very sucsessful with the HOBIE 14. This specially in Germany. And this has reason.
<br>In the most European countrys we don't have good organised class associations. The catamarans just sail yardstick-regattas. When all other sailors sit on the beach to drink a beer just the HOBIE 14 sailor is still on the water. This is no big gain and so nobody wants to sail HOBIE 14.
<br>In Germany, please forgive a little arrogance, we have one of the best organised Sailing-Class-Associations. The DEUTSCHE HOBIE CAT KLASSENVEREINIGUNG.
<br>We always sailed class-regattas the most time. So a HOBIE 14 class could live a long time.
<br>In our rancing-list we have nearly 100 Hobie 14 every year. And the 14 prevailed against the Hobie 17 after some years.
<br>The 14 is still very strong in Germany. So the young sailors have much more fun to be part of this society.
<br>Now HOBIE CAT EUROPE wants to bring 8 Dragoons to Germany. They want to make 8 events in one year where they want to search for the biggest talents.
<br>This big talents get a DRAGOON for 1/2 year. With this boat they should sail 6 regatta in Europe, ...for their own costs!!!
<br>Also they should bring their boats to this regattas. Who forgot that kids don't can drive a car ???
<br>I accept this idea for country where is no 14 class. Because there it could be a first stepstone.
<br>In Germany I am sure that our sucsess was just possible with the 14. Because we had a strong class.
<br>In our class we allways have special prizes for sailors under 18. Also they sail very sucsessfull in the normal regattas. The best kid became No. 10 in Germany for 2001 !!!
<br>The 14-kids are in ages between 12 and 17.
<br>Often we hear that it is to difficult for kids in the age between 11 and 13 to sail a HOBIE 14. Thats wrong. Many of them proved that it is possible. They can sail a Hobie 14 till 4 Bft..
<br>And they learn pure sailing.
<br>Of course one advantage for the DRAGOON is the gennaker. But behind that the 14 shows his advantages.
<br>It's just pure sailing. The 14 is a very sensitive boat. Very easy to handle on the beach and on the water. But also you can have fun, fun, fun. WAVE and DRAGOON (I sailed both boats) feel like monohulls. The 14 is for sure a catamaran.
<br>The problem we have in Europe is just commercial. HOBIE CAT EUROPE wants to earn money. I understand. But they don't look far. They see their new boats and forgot that the 14 could be their "Cash Cow".
<br>I arrive on the beach and after 5 minutes I can sail. Thats the easy way we should show our youngest.
<br>And not just only to them. Hobie 14 is for all ages.
<br>A simple boat with a lot of fun.
<br>You can sail it as a beginner. But also you can sail it demanding.
<br>In my opinion it is a to short time for the youth to sail on DRAGOON and WAVE. And so it is to expensive.
<br>They learn to sail when they are between 6 and 10. The first years they sail a small monohull.
<br>After that they can beginn with catamarans.
<br>I think with 14 - 15 they are to big for a DRAGOON or WAVE.
<br>HOBIE 14 they can sail allways.
<br>They can sail a 14 till the age of 18 - 21.
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<br>This is just a small part of my thoughts.
<br>Please hold the line !!!!!!!
<br>I would be happy to find new sailing-friensds here.
<br>Specially the Hobie 14 sailors should know that we still work on the idea to have HOBIE 14 WORLDS in the future.
<br>Maybe in Europe 2003 or 2004.
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<br>I will be in this forum again.
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<br>Kindest regard to all.
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<br>HAVE A HOBIE DAY<br><br>